| Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles | | | | through too many hoops. He has publicly accused the |
| schools have had several run-ins over the past couple | | | | Los Angeles schools of rejecting outside help, saying |
| of years. Villaraigosa has been trying to gain control | | | | that the extensive procedures are more proof that |
| over the Los Angeles schools through both the | | | | the Los Angeles schools impede even the best |
| legislature and the courts. Thus far, his efforts have | | | | intentions. In his frustration, the mayor has said they |
| been only marginally successful, having been given | | | | are doing everything possible to refuse his assistance |
| some control at the end of last summer. ``````` | | | | with Zoner. |
| This latest drama has at its center a high school | | | | Santee Principal Vince Carbino and his supervisors at |
| student called Zoner. This creative lad, who attends | | | | the Los Angeles schools, said the mayor must follow |
| Santee High School, decorated a bus with graffiti in | | | | the same process as all the other mentor applicants. |
| early March of this year. Unfortunately for Zoner, the | | | | Carbino further stated that it is his responsibility to |
| mayor and Los Angeles schools Superintendent David | | | | deal with Zoner by assisting him with any problems, |
| Brewer were riding on the bus. | | | | educating him and focusing on behavioral change in |
| Villaraigosa's solution to the situation was that the | | | | order to ensure the teen graduates and is successful |
| boy needed mentoring -- his mentoring. The mayor | | | | in life. It also is his responsibility to ensure the safety |
| proceeded to apply to the Los Angeles schools as a | | | | of all students in every area of their school life, |
| mentor for Zoner. | | | | including mentors. What Villaraigosa sees as politics, |
| The Los Angeles schools has a set procedure for | | | | Carbino sees as simply protecting his students. |
| potential mentors. They must first complete a | | | | Additionally, Carbino stated that before the Los |
| one-page application. Then, they must submit to a | | | | Angeles schools can approve the mayor as a mentor |
| tuberculosis test and fingerprinting. Finally, they are | | | | to Zoner, the boy must first work with the school's |
| interviewed by the principal at the school in which | | | | psychiatric social worker for several weeks. Then, |
| they wish to mentor. The entire process can take up | | | | the student and his family would decide if they want |
| to a month to complete. | | | | Villaraigosa's mentoring. He just cannot insinuate |
| There currently are 2,000 mentors within the Los | | | | himself into Zoner's life without regard to the boy's |
| Angeles schools, offering a diverse background and | | | | feelings or his family's wishes. |
| experience to the students. Santee High School | | | | Los Angeles schools' director of School Volunteer |
| already has 40-50 mentors on campus at any given | | | | Program is Susan Snelgrove. She has offered to fast |
| week. Movie stars and celebrities give drama and | | | | track the mayor's application, but she was adamant |
| dance lessons. Financial gurus teach students about | | | | that he must follow the same procedures as |
| financial planning and business. Health professionals | | | | everyone else. |
| focus on nutrition and fitness. They have all followed | | | | What do Zoner's classmates think about the whole |
| the mentor application process with very little | | | | drama? They were not too thrilled about the mayor |
| complaint. | | | | interfering with a student. They said he could do |
| Though it is obvious that the procedures have been | | | | more good by focusing on making their |
| created for the protection of the children, Villaraigosa | | | | neighborhoods safer and cleaner. |
| has been very vocal about what he sees as jumping | | | | |